Accompanying a brief period of change in not only exterior styling but who created it, Ferrari’s 308 GT4 arrived in 1973 with a host of unseen developments for the company. Chiefly, the 308 GT4’s radical new wedged-box styling was drawn up by Marcello Gandini during his tenure at Bertone. A brief jilt to Pininfarina who long had worked almost exclusively with Ferrari. Coupled with that was the introduction of the company’s first V8 engine positioned mid-ship, another revolutionary shift for Ferrari. Further enhancing the oddity of the 308 GT4 is that it was built off of the originally Pininfarina designed Dino 246 platform and lengthened by Bertone to offer to a seat for four passengers. It was landmark, archetype-shattering shift and now we have an extremely well-maintained example slated to auction soon!
Our car was purchased from a Kansas dealership in 1977 and has resided in several states before its arrival in the Golden State five years ago. Refinished in Rosso Chiaro, the paintwork was professionally applied, and still appears lustrous. The originally U.S. mandated bumper safety equipment has been stripped off for European fiber-glass units that drastically cut down the curb weight. An aftermarket exhaust system and some seventies style adjustable side mirrors pleasantly alter the exterior appeal. Plus, four Cromodora six-spoke replica wheels have been installed and a fifth replaces the spare wheel – each is fitted with new Pirelli rubber.
Inside, the cabin has been refinished with tan leather upholstery on the mechanically adjustable front seats. To complement the new hides all other leather inside has been dyed to match. A new steering wheel (MOMO replica) wrapped in black leather with white stitching has substituted the original unit, although the old wheel comes along with the sale. Newer black floor mats adorned with Ferrari’s Prancing Horse sit overtop the tan carpeting in the front footwells. Plus, a never-before-used Blaupunkt radio with speakers mounted in the doors has been recently installed.
As mentioned above, maintenance has never been an issue, and an entire booklet of service records is supplied as proof. From the factory, the Ferrari designed 240 horsepower 3.0-liter quad-cam V8 engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission all nicely situated in the middle. The ignition system of our 308 GT4 has been reworked with MSD controllers, a Pertronix pointless distributor system, a new wire set, spark plugs and more. Additionally, the timing belt and tensioner were changed at the time of a water pump rebuild. Sending units for many of the gauges were changed out under contemporary ownership as was the alternator, and the old Freon was replaced for R134 refrigerant with an unused dryer and compressor.
New carpeting inside of the trunk and a leather tool case with tools come along with the sale. Aside from the steering wheel, the rear bumper grille removed for the installation of an aftermarket exhaust, and several other components taken off of the 308 GT4 will be handed over at the time of delivery. A clean California title has been confirmed. So if you are looking to get into a mid-engined V8 Ferrari that has a well-balanced, independent coil sprung suspension capable of cutting through corners this is a genuine gem among more expensive options.
